Top 10 Significant Moments of My 2010

Since 2010 is almost at a close, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on the top 10 significant moments of my 2010.  

1. Death of my Grandmother - Death of the grandparent I grew up knowing most from infancy to adulthood taught me a lot about life, mortality, family and love. Lesson Learned: LIFE IS SHORT, MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
2. Youngest child starting school - Realization that my kids are growing up. Both my kids are now in their school years. Lesson Learned: TIME FLIES BY, CHERISH MY CHILDREN NOW.
3. Eldest child starting grade 1 - Has required me to teach my child more about relationships, studies and life in general. I have had to give more of my time to help my son. Lesson Learned: THE BEST THING I CAN GIVE TO MY FAMILY IS MY TIME.
4. Family Christmas gift project - Making a Family Calendar that incorporated almost 50 people required communication with extended family, diligence and a lot of thoughtful reflection. Lesson Learned: BE GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATE THE FAMILY YOU COME FROM AND THE ROLE THEY PLAYED IN MAKING YOU THE PERSON YOU HAVE BECOME.
5. First High Tea with my daughter - Maybe the most meaningful time I have had with my daughter ever. Lesson Learned: BOOK TIME TO BE ENGAGED WITH MY KIDS. BEING A MOM CAN BE LOTS OF FUN!
6. Going back to full-time work hours - Regained some semblance of independence, feeling a sense of purpose other than the role I fill for my family. Lesson Learned: BALANCE IS IMPORTANT.
7. Acceptance - A general moment that has occurred to me many times this year. Accept the things I do not like. Lessons Learned: ACCEPT SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT IDEAL, MOVE ON AND DON’T DWELL.
8. Family Vacation to Las Vegas, San Diego & LA Area - Forced our family out of our usual safe routine and booked an action-packed vacation. Lesson Learned: IT’S GOOD TO PUSH YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE; IT HELPS YOU GROW.
9. Casey James - Through becoming a fan, I made friends around the globe and for the first time ever got to interact with and meet a celebrity I admired. Lesson Learned: FRIENDS CAN BE MADE AMONGST PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WITH DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, CULTURES AND AGES. FOLLOW A PASSION AND SEE WHERE IT LEADS YOU.
10. Friendship - Continued to develop meaningful friendships by getting together regularly and making lots of effort, as I do for my family. Lesson Learned: DO NOT LET FRIENDSHIPS JUST FALL TO THE WAYSIDE, BEING A FRIEND MEANS MAKING EFFORT AND BEING ENGAGED.

Casey James Band !!

It’s been a long time coming! My favourite up and coming artist’s official website has been launched along with his official Facebook page and MySpace page. I first fell in love with the musical talents of Casey James when I saw him on the auditions on last season’s American Idol.  Since religiously following his growth on the show, finishing third place and getting to perform an amazing duet from then-recovering Brett Michaels on the show stopping finale, I’ve seen Casey live and in person, met him, spoke with him, tweeted with him several times and continue to follow this amazing talent.

Through him, I’ve met an amazing bunch of ladies from all over the world who I still keep in touch with from the 2010 summer craziness over the Idol tour.  Casey has since been busy working on his album and relocating to Nashville, TN as he signed with Sony Nashville (YAY Casey!) which is a perfect label for him to span his broad wings of rock and country roots. 

Casey has been noted as the most talented guitarist/musician to ever grace the stage of American Idol contestants.  In addition, he has over a decade of performing experience in his native TX and comes from a very musical family, including his bassist older brother BC (Billy James, who you can find on FB) and his super talented mother Bybee D. James (Debra, @BybeeDJames on Twitter).  

I’m happy to announce the launch of Casey’s official website www.caseyjamesbandofficial.com !!  From there you can link to his new MySpace page, twitter @CaseyEJames and FB page.  A lot of excitement is brewing amongst his die hard fans in anticipation of his soon to be released album. Finally, his music will be heard on a much larger scale and it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving and humble guy!

Some other good resources for Casey James include the following:

Official Site: www.caseyjamesbandofficial.com 

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/caseyjamesband

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/caseyjamesband 

Twitter Official: @CaseyEJames

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CaseyJamesBand 

@ShariGeller Blog: http://burnthismedia.wordpress.com/

FB Group: Casey James Homecoming

FB Group: Casey James Cougar Club (and NO, you do not have to be a cougar to join - just a terrific resource for everything Casey)

My favourite performance of Casey’s American Idol performances:

Every Rose Has It’s Thorn with Brett Michaels,

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhvNsXXkgcc

Jealous Guy,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p_5kRKageQ

What's for Dinner?!

Feeling under the weather.  I usually get hit with a horrible cold in Spring, Fall and Winter. The one I have now is manageable, but coupled with a sinus headache that is just lingering for days. I find myself at dinner time yet again dreading the usual question at this time of the day, ‘What should we eat for dinner?’

I have to admit, this responsibility lies alone with me in my household. When everyone else gets sick, I take care of them. When I’m sick, does anyone cook for me? The answer is usually “no” at least for supper. 

How I wouldn’t love to just nap all day and feel better quicker, with someone to just take care of me for a change. Ya right....who am I kidding?  I’m a Mom. While I’m grateful to have my family and home, it would be nice to just have a break when I need it.

Times like these, I wish I had a cook. So you ask, “What’s for dinner?” The answer is pizza and wings for delivery, once again.  Too bad convenience doesn’t come with many healthy options.

Who Hates Christmas Shopping? I Do! I Do!

I’ve officially decided I really don’t enjoy Christmas shopping. Once upon a time when I had a lot more disposable income and cash flow, not to mention lots of time on my hands I would shop for presents as early as September. Due to circumstances, I now shop in the month of December.  

Something about the sheer volume of presents that I have to buy totally sucks the joy  and thoughtfulness right out of Christmas shopping. I feel the pressure, the shops are packed, parking is far from plentiful, the ease of shopping is unpleasant holding tons of heavy bags, dealing with complaining kids, feeling hot from all the winter gear I am wearing. 

One could say that I could perhaps ‘make’ my presents, but in all reality with everyday life unfortunately at this time I have no time or energy to do so. 

I much prefer shopping for the one-off birthday or non-Christmas occasion gift when I have only one gift to take care of.  I look forward to the day I actually have time to thoughtfully craft my gifts once again. Until now, what I most look forward to is simply just spending time talking and having fun with my family and celebrating!

iPad Fun

I've gotten my whole family hooked on the iPad. I admit, it's a PRICEY toy, but hey, in it's own way it makes life that much better and more fun!  A great and fun app that I'm loving is Jumbline. You are given a series of letters from which you have to make words from.  There are variations of the game with the app that are all lots of fun time wasters, while exercising your brain at the same time!  Give it a try. :)

Speaking of which, I think I'll play now!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jumbline/id307356673?mt=8